Robert F. McDevitt

Robert F. McDevitt

Robert F. McDevitt, 70, of Belmar, formerly of Avon, passed away on December 25 at H.M. Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Bob was the managing broker and owner of Avon Realty in Avon, which is one of the oldest independently owned brokerages in Monmouth County. Avon Realty has become known as The Shore Authorities in real estate. He liked to tell friends and clients "Our home is in Avon, but our heart lies along the shore".

Bob was born and raised in Avon. He was elected mayor of Avon in 1978 when he was 28 years old. At the time he was the youngest elected mayor in the history of New Jersey. He also served on the Avon Board of Education and the Avon Library Board. Bob graduated from St. Rose Grammar and High Schools, and Monmouth University. He spent 22 years working in the apparel business, manufacturing men's shirts and sportswear in New York City. He was President of a division of Oxford Shirtings, where he was responsible for the operations of a $60-million-dollar business including sales, design, manufacturing, product sourcing and profitability.

Bob was a devout parishioner of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, St. Elizabeth's RC Church in Avon. He was an avid and gifted tennis player and played competitive tennis at the Jersey Shore. Bob was often found playing matches with friends, hitting with his daughters, or teaching his grandchildren the game at the Avon tennis courts. Although his passion was tennis, his first love was his family, especially his wife Peggy and their five daughters. He dedicated his life and love to his family, and always made time to attend his daughter's sporting or school events in the midst of his business travelling. He was a true ambassador to the town of Avon and will be dearly missed by many.

Bob was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Nancy McDevitt, his brother G. William McDevitt and his sister-in-law Lorraine McDevitt. He is survived by his loving wife Peggy Lennon McDevitt, his five daughters and their spouses Maggie and Justin Kinkela of Shark River Hills, Maureen McDevitt of Belmar, Mary Kate McDevitt and fiancé Marco Costilleja of Mission Viejo, CA, Moira and James Skinner of Avon and Kara and Sean Donahue of Bradley Beach, his siblings Joseph McDevitt of Wall, Ann and William Garrett of Spring Lake, Richard and Patricia McDevitt of Middletown, his sister-in-law Kathy McDevitt of Wall and his five grandchildren Kherrington, Abby, and Sean Kinkela, Maeve and Aislinn Skinner.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions a funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, St. Elizabeth's Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the American Heart Association in Bob's name.

For further information or to send condolences to the family please visit reillybonnerfuneralhome.com.